State gives $750k to help build Newark Boys and Girls Club

Jennifer Roberts, administrative director of the Thomas J. Evans Foundation, stands in front of the old Par-Excellence school on Maholm Street in Newark. The building is set for renovations by the Evans Foundation to turn it into Boys and Girls Clubs of Newark.(Photo11: Jessica Phelps/The Advocate)Buy Photo

NEWARK – The state legislature provided the Boys and Girls Clubs of Newark a financial boost, appropriating $750,000 to the fledgling organization.

The funding, approved by the Ohio House and Ohio Senate, designates the money for program development and renovations to the former Maholm Elementary School site, where the club is expected to open in 2019.

State Sen. Jay Hottinger, R-Newark, who helped secure the appropriation in the state senate, praised the Evans Foundation effort to establish the local club, which will be part of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Columbus Region.

"For youth, this is one of the most exciting things in my lifetime," Hottinger said. "It's something that's been on my radar screen for 30 years. I have a special place in my heart for at-risk kids. It's an economic opportunity for the youth of Licking County and long overdue."

Sarah Wallace, chairwoman of the Evans Foundation, announced plans last month to use the site for the after-school destination for local youth. The foundation purchased the property and leases it, at no cost, to the club.

"It was something we were hoping for," Wallace said of the state funds. "What it'll do is enable us to concentrate funds on operations and get an endowment to make it sustainable, long-term. That's always the biggest challenge for non-profits, is self-sustaining, long-term."

The local club will be able to serve about 200 children a day, with a staff of about 15 to 20, Wallace said. The Newark club will be part of Boys and Girls Clubs of Columbus, a nonprofit organization providing comprehensive, affordable after-school and summer programming for youth, ages 6 through 18.

Hottinger said the former Police Athletic League provided a similar destination for youth, when he and Glenn Cunningham started the organization here in 1991.

A 1998 Advocate story stated the Police Athletic League served 700 to 1,000 children per year in activities such as basketball, archery and golf, and helped build self-esteem and team spirit.

"As a parent, I know how important after-school and summer opportunities are for the academic and social development of our youth," Hottinger said. "I am pleased our state could partner in this effort that is sure to positively affect thousands of at-risk youth in Newark and Licking County."

Rebecca Asmo, CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Columbus,said the club will work with Newark City Schools and the YES Club to reach as many youth as possible.

In addition to funding for Boys and Girls Clubs of Newark, the state legislature approved $1.2 million for five community projects in Licking County. Hottinger said he worked with State Rep. Scott Ryan, R-Newark, to secure the money.

Hottinger said the $1.96 million in funds, combining the money for the five community projects and the Boys, Girls Clubs, is a record during his tenure in the Ohio General Assembly.

"Some of the larger communities got a little less than they have historically," Hottinger said. "They recognized smaller communities were slighted in the past."

The $1.2 million amount ranked Licking County 24th of Ohio's 88 counties in the community projects funding. When adding the $750,000 for the Boys and Girls Clubs, the county ranked 19th.

kmallett@newarkadvocate.com

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Twitter: @kmallett1958

Boys and Girls Clubs of Newark

Expected to open in 2019 at 96 Maholm St. Open 3-8 p.m. during the school year, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the summer, serving about 200 children per day. Cost $5 per year for each member. Ages, kindergarten through 12th grade.